New York, NY, July 7, 2011-The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced details for the 2011 Latinbeat Film Festival (August 10–24) including 23 films representing 15 countries. Screening at FSLC’s Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th Street), the 12th edition of the oldest (and first) Latin American film festival in New York City will feature 4 US Premieres. Those films include Lais Bodanzky’s THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD; Tristan Bauer’s CHE, A NEW MAN; Mariano Cohn’s and Gastón Duprat’s QUERIDA VOY A COMPRAR CIGARRILLOS Y VUELVO; and Marta Ferrer’s EL VARAL.

Featuring films from 11 different Latin American countries as well as France, Germany, Spain and the U.S. and just as abundant an array of genres and styles, Latinbeat continues to follow the latest trends of filmmaking in Latin America by showcasing both up-and-coming directors and internationally recognized filmmakers. Films range from romantic comedies, classic thrillers, coming of age stories, animation and documentaries.

Gustavo Taretto’s romantic comedy SIDEWALLS will make its East Coast Premiere as Latinbeat’s Opening Night selection. A crowd-pleasing hit at the Berlin Film Festival, Taretto’s feature film debut pays homage to Buenos Aires as it follows two people navigating through a sea of personal phobias as they (hopefully) head toward their eventual meeting and happy romantic destiny. A Sundance Selects release, SIDEWALLS opens the festival with a screening on Wednesday, Aug 10 at 7:00PM with Taretto, the film’s star, Pilar Lopez De Ayala and composer Gabriel Chwojnik in attendance.

Latinbeat will also feature a Special Filmmaker Panel Presentation entitled Central American Cinema Today. Co-presented with Casa Clementina and Cinema Tropical and sponsored by New York Women in Film and Television, the panel will feature the festival’s filmmakers discussing innovative forms of local film production in Central America, marking the first time the subject has been addressed at a NYC-based film festival. Offered free to the public with a purchased ticket to the 1:00PM screening of MARIMBAS FROM HELL, the panel takes place Sunday, August 14 at 11:00AM.

Latinbeat is also proud to present the screening of the Cuban film, LONG DISTANCE, by Esteban Insausti, who is considered one of the most prominent directors of the avant-garde movement in Cuba. Co-Presented with the New England Festival of Ibero American Cinema, LONG DISTANCE explores the emotional impact of the exodus of Cubans to the US over the last several years through the story of a single woman coming to terms with the loss of her friends. Insausti, a major exponent of the new generation of so-called “independent” Cuban filmmakers will be in attendance and will be joined by the film’s stars, Alexis Diaz de Villegas, Anna Biu and Zulema Clares for Q&As following the screenings.

Two special screenings will feature live musical accompaniment: THE STOESSEL EXPEDITION is a restored gem from 1928 about a car journey from Buenos Aires to New York that includes previously unseen footage of Latin American capitals at the time. The screening will feature live piano accompaniment by original score composer Donald Sosin. The Brazilian Coffin Joe horror cult classic THIS NIGHT I WILL POSSESS YOUR CORPSE will feature the original music score and performance by guitarist Gary Lucas.

Additional highlights include; Lais Bodanzky’s Brazilian coming-of-age story THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD, based on the “Mano” bestselling book series and starring teen-heartthrob Fiuk Pedro and Francisco Miguez; Marcel Rasquin’s drama, BROTHER, the Venezuelan submission for Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar consideration this year; Tristan Bauer’s documentary CHE, A NEW MAN, featuring rare footage not seen before today; renowned writer, Alberto Fuguet’s turn behind the camera for the Nashville-set, COUNTRY MUSIC; the return of New Directors/New Films alums Matias Bize with the Chilean love story, THE LIFE OF FISH and Mariano Cohn & Gastón Duprat with their black comedy QUERIDA VOY A COMPRAR CIGARRILLOS Y VUELVO; Jairo Carrillo’s beautiful 3D animated doc LITTLE VOICES, made from drawings and with voices of real characters whose lives it depicts; and Marcelo Cohan’s Argentinian thriller NO RETURN starring Leonardo Sbaraglia and Federico Luppi.

Additional filmmakers confirmed to attend Latinbeat include: Matias Bize (Director of THE LIFE OF FISH), Julio Hernandez Cordon and Pamela Guinea (Director and Producer of MARIMBAS FROM HELL), Alberto Fuguet (Writer/Director of COUNTRY MUSIC), Victoria Galardi (Director of MOUNT BAYO), Bettina Perut and Ivan Osnovikoff (Directors of THE DEATH OF PINOCHET), and Paula Siero (Director of THE WATER AT THE END OF THE WORLD).

“This year’s Latinbeat Film Festival captures a stunning variety of films – both commercial and independent currently coming out of Latin America, said Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Marcela Goglio. We are especially proud to spotlight the creative search for new forms of production in Central America and the Caribbean. The exploration of documentary/fiction boundaries that took such an exciting turn in Latin American cinema in the last few years has spread to this region and we are beginning to see the results of that now.”

Goglio added, “We are also thrilled to be able to share some great new films from traditionally underrepresented countries, like Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Uruguay and Venezuela. We believe it will all add up to make this one of our most vibrant film festivals yet.”

FILM DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE 2011 FSLC LATINBEAT FILM FESTIVAL

ACORAZADO (2010, 97min)Director: Alvaro CurielCountry: Mexico/CubaCuriel’s hilarious debut tells the story of Veracruz native Silveiro, whose buddies help him hatch an unusual emigration plan: turning his old taxi into an improvised raft.ACORAZADO screens Thursday, August 11 at 4:45PM; and Friday, August 12 at 7:00PM.

ALL YOUR DEAD ONES (Todos tus muertos) (2011, 88min)Director: Carlos MorenoCountry: Colombia When a Colombian farmer stumbles upon a pile of corpses, he finds that the officials have other priorities in this searing attack on a culture of corruption, poverty, and violence. ALL YOUR DEAD ONES is a Shoreline Films release.ALL YOUR DEAD ONES screens Saturday, August 20 at 2:45PM; Sunday, August 21 at 9:30PM; and Monday, August 22 at 6:30PM.

THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD (As Melhores Coisas do Mundo)(2010, 100min)Director: Lais BodanzkyCountry: BrazilIn this sweet, funny coming-of-age tale set in Sao Paolo (with a great soundtrack), a 15-year-old boy’s carefree life is complicated by a shocking revelation. The film is an Intra Movies release.THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD screens Thursday, August 18 at 4:30PM; Saturday, August 20 at 9:30PM; and Tuesday, August 23 at 9:00PM.

BROTHER (Hermano) (2010, 96min)Director: Marcel RasquinCountry: VenezuelaTwo futbol-playing brothers have their love and loyalty put to the test when a scout invites them to try out with the best team in Caracas in this inspiring family drama. BROTHER is a Musicbox Films release.BROTHER screens Friday, August 12 at 5:00PM; Saturday, August 13 at 2:40PM; and Sunday, August 14 at 8:45PM.

***Special Filmmaker Panel Presentation***Central American Cinema TodayCo-presented with Casa Clementina and Cinema TropicalSponsored by New York Women in Film and TelevisionLatin Beat filmmakers will discuss innovative forms of local film production. Central American Cinema Today is free with ticket to the 1:00PM screening of MARIMBAS FROM HELL.The Central American Cinema Today panel takes place Sunday, August 14 at 11:00AM.

CHE, A NEW MAN (Che, un hombre nuevo) (2010, 94min)Director: Tristan BauerCountry: Argentina Twelve years in the making, Bauer’s intimate look at the larger-than-life Che Guevara demonstrates both his ideals and his passion, with never-before-seen private documents and recordings. CHE, A NEW MAN is a Match Factory release.CHE, A NEW MAN screens Wednesday, August 10 at 4:30PM and 9:30PM; and Sunday, August 14 at 6:40PM.

COUNTRY MUSIC (Musica campesina) (2011, 100min)Director: Alberto FuguetCountry: Chile/U.S.A Chilean man who loves country music roams through Nashville in this fresh take on immigrant stories, laced with funny dialogue and boasting a terrific soundtrack.COUNTRY MUSIC screens Friday, August 19 at 6:30PM; Sunday, August 21 at 3:00PM; and Monday, August 22 at 4:15PM. (Alberto Fuguet will participate in Q&As following each screening.)

THE DEATH OF PINOCHET (La muerte de Pinochet) (2011, 70min)Directors: Bettina Perut & Ivan OsnovikoffCountry: ChileA raw yet intimate look at Chilean history, this provocative documentary takes to the streets on the day of Pinochet’s death, capturing intensely divided reactions.THE DEATH OF PINOCHET screens Sunday, August 14 at 3:00PM; and August, 17 at 7:00PM. (Directors Bettina Perut and Ivan Osnovikoff will participate in Q&As following each screening.)

JEAN GENTIL (2010, 84min)Directors: Laura Amelia Guzmán & Israel CárdenasCountry: Mexico/Dominican Republic/HaitiThis poignant tale vividly captures the day-to-day life of an educated Haitian immigrant as he travels through the Dominican Republic in search of work and a meaning to his life. JEAN GENTIL screens Saturday, August 13 at 4:45PM and Monday, August 15 at 4:15PM.

THE LIFE OF FISH (La vida de los peces) (2010, 84min)Director: Matias BizeCountry: Chile Returning to Chile after 11 years abroad, an expat writer meets old friends and is forced to confront his past in this insightful, emotionally intense love story.THE LIFE OF FISH screens Friday, August 12 at 9:15PM, and Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30PM. (Matias Bize will participate in Q&As following each screening.)

LITTLE VOICES (Pequeñas voces) (2010, 75min)Director: Jairo CarrilloCountry: ColombiaBeautifully animating their drawings, this extraordinary 3D documentary depicts the lives of displaced Colombian children who have grown up amidst guerrilla fighting. The film is a Films Boutique release. LITTLE VOICES screens Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30PM.

LONG DISTANCE (Larga distancia) (2010, 93min)Director: Esteban InsaustiCountry: CubaInsausti explores the dramatic emotional impact of the mass exodus of Cubans to the US through the story of a woman who finds that she has lost all of her friends to this crisis.Co-presented with The New England Festival of Ibero American Cinema. LONG DISTANCE screens Saturday, August 13 at 6:35PM; Tuesday, August 16 at 8:45PM; and Wednesday, August 17 at 5:00PM. (Esteban Insausti and the film’s stars, Alexis Diaz de Villegas, Anna Biu and Zulema Clares will attend and participate in Q&As following each screening).

MARIMBAS FROM HELL (Marimbas del infierno) (2010, 75min)Director: Julio Hernández CordónCountry: Guatemala/Mexico/FranceThis funny and moving story of an improbable artistic collaboration—between a homeless marimba player and a pioneer of Guatemalan heavy metal music—straddles documentary and fiction. The film is a FiGA Films release.MARIMBAS FROM HELL screens Sunday, August 14 at 1:00PM; Monday, August 15 at 9:00PM; and Tuesday, August 16 at 4:45PM. (Julio Hernandez Cordon and producer Pamela Guinea will attend and participate in Q&As following each screening.)

MOUNT BAYO (Cerro Bayo) (2010, 86min)Director: Victoria GalardiCountry: Argentina On the cusp of ski season, a peaceful Patagonian village is tested by an incident that divides a local family, in Galardi’s funny and gentle dramatic comedy.MOUNT BAYO screens Saturday, August 20 at 7:15PM; Monday, August 22 at 8:30PM; and Tuesday, August 23 at 5:00PM. (Victoria Galardi will attend and participate in Q&As following each screening.)

NORBERTO’S DEADLINE (Norberto apenas tarde) (2010, 89min)Director: Daniel HendlerCountry: UruguayWhen a young man joins a theater group—following his boss’s orders—his life starts to change, in this tender and offbeat tale of personal reinvention. NORBERTO’S DEADLINE is an Outsider Pictures release.NORBERTO’S DEADLINE screens Friday, August 19 at 4:30PM; Sunday, August 21 at 1:00PM; and Tuesday, August 23 at 7:00PM.

NO RETURN (Sin retorno) (2010, 100min) Director: Marcelo CohanCountry: ArgentinaAn intense, perfectly calibrated thriller with a twist ending, Cohan’s debut feature also engages sensitive issues of ethics and justice that will make spectators squirm in their seats. Starring Federico Luppi and Leonardo Sbaraglia. NO RETURN is a Latido Films release.NO RETURN screens Friday, August 19 at 9:00PM and Wednesday, August 24 at 8:35PM.

QUERIDA VOY A COMPRAR CIGARRILLOS Y VUELVO (2011, 80min)Directors: Mariano Cohn & Gastón DupratCountry: ArgentinaIn this black comedy, a mediocre real estate agent enters a Faustian deal with a stranger who has superpowers. With great performances by Eusebio Poncela and Emilio Disi.QUERIDA VOY A COMPRAR CIGARRILLOS Y VUELVO screens Wednesday, August 17 at 5:00PM; Sunday, August 21 at 7:30PM; and Wednesday, August 24 at 4:30PM.

***OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION***SIDEWALLS (Medianeras) (2011, 96min)Director: Gustavo TarettoCountry: Argentina/Germany/SpainTaretto’s clever romantic comedy pays homage to Buenos Aires as it follows two lonely souls who live on the same block but have somehow never met. SIDEWALLS is a Sundance Selects release.SIDEWALLS screens Wednesday, Aug 10 at 7:00PM (with Gustavo Taretto, the film’s star, Pilar Lopez De Ayala and composer Gabriel Chwojnik in attendance); Thursday, August 11 at 7:00PM; and Saturday, August 13 at 9:10PM.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT (Zona Sur) (2009, 109min)Director: Juan Carlos ValdiviaCountry: Bolivia Valdivia’s stylish, class-conscious feature envelops viewers in the insular world of an upper-crust Bolivian family in decline, through the eyes of two Aymara Indians who serve them. The film is a Shoreline Films release.SOUTHERN DISTRICT screens Thursday, August 18 at 9:00PM and Saturday, August 20 at 12:30PM.

THE STOESSEL EXPEDITION (Expedición Argentina Stoessel: Raid Buenos Aires-Nueva York-1928) (1928, 60min)Director: Adán & Andrés StoesselCountry: ArgentinaIn 1928, two brothers began a two-year automotive journey from Buenos Aires all the way to New York, capturing their wide-ranging expedition on film. Copy restored by the Fundacion Cinemateca Argentina in cooperation with The Library of Congress of the United States. The screening features live musical accompaniment by original score composer, Donald Sosin. SCREENING WITHFOR THE FIRST TIME (Por primera vez) (1965, 10min)Director: Octavio CortazarCountry: CubaThe landmark Cuban documentary captures the reactions of isolated Cuban villagers to seeing films for the first time.THE STOESSEL EXPEDITION/FOR THE FIRST TIME screens Sunday, August 21 at 5:45PM.

EL VARAL (2009, 75min)Director: Marta FerrerCountry: MexicoFerrer’s rueful documentary contrasts the fanfare of a village’s patron saint day with the post-celebration calm, haunted by the absence of families who have emigrated to the U.S.EL VARAL screens Saturday, August 13 at 1:00PM and Sunday, August 14 at 5:00PM.

THE WATER AT THE END OF THE WORLD (El agua del fin del mundo) (2101, 85min)Director: Paula SieroCountry: ArgentinaSiero’s warm, intensely honest, and humane story of the real emotions between two sisters – one terminally ill, as they journey to the tip of South America. The film is an Outsider Pictures release.THE WATER AT THE END OF THE WORLD screens Thursday, August 18 at 6:45PM and Saturday, August 20 at 5:00PM. (Paula Siero wll attend and participate in Q&As following each screening.)

Tuesday, August 164:45PM MARIMBAS FROM HELL (75min)6:30PM THE LIFE OF FISH (84min)8:45PM LONG DISTANCE (93min)

Wednesday, August 175:00PM LONG DISTANCE (93min)7:00PM THE DEATH OF PINOCHET (70min)9:10PM QUERIDA VOY A COMPRAR CIGARRILLOS Y VUELVO (80min)

Thursday, August 184:30PM THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD (100min)6:45PM THE WATER AT THE END OF THE WORLD (85min)9:00PM SOUTHERN DISTRICT (109min)

Friday, August 194:30PM NORBERTO’S DEADLINE (86min)6:30PM COUNTRY MUSIC (100min)9:00PM NO RETURN (100min)

Saturday, August 2012:30PM SOUTHERN DISTRICT (109min)2:45PM ALL YOUR DEAD ONES (88min)5:00PM THE WATER AT THE END OF THE WORLD (85min)7:15PM MOUNT BAYO (89min)9:30PM THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD (100min)